'This is a big step for me in my career' - Crawley Town's new signing can't wait to get started

Davide Rodari signed from Hastings United on Monday on a two-and-a-half year deal with an additional two-year option.

Crawley Town sign Hastings United striker Davide Rodari on a two-year-deal - and he's available for AFC Bournemouth FA Cup tie

The Swiss-born Italian forward signed for Hastings United back in January 2017, where he caught the eyes of John Yems and Erdem Konyar.

The 21 year-old is available for tomorrow’s FA Cup 4th Round tie against Bournemouth, and he is excited to be a part of the Crawley’s setup. “I can’t wait to get started," he said: "Training’s been brilliant, the lads are all working me. They all said ‘hi’ and are making me feel at home really.”

The Crawley squad has been hit hard by COVID-19 in recent weeks, and with five unnamed players testing positive for the virus, Rodari could feature tomorrow at the Vitality Stadium for Crawley’s cup clash with AFC Bournemouth. He said: “I’m buzzing for that. It will be the first time in my career playing in a big stadium, and against a big, ex-Premier League club so I can’t wait.”

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Rodari also claims visiting the People’s Pension Stadium for the first time has only made him more motivated to succeed at Crawley: “It’s like this is what I’ve always wanted to do, since I was a kid, playing professional football.

"This is a big step for me in my career, and the stadium was really, really good.”

Crawley recently parted company with Max Watters, as the young marksman signed for Cardiff City, having been spotted in non-league by Yems and Konyar, and Rodari hopes he can recreate a similar success story to that of Watters.

"He’s a good example, I definitely want to follow his path and do what he did as well, that’s one of my dreams.”

The new recruit also described his play style for fans who may not be familiar with him: “I’m a striker, I don’t mind playing on the wings but I’m perfectly a striker. I’m not the quickest but I can get around players and in behind, I’m quite sharp as well, I’m always in the box and waiting for the balls to come.”

It was believed that at least one other EFL club was scouting Rodari, but he explained why he chose the Red Devils.

He said: "Last year John (Yems) tried to sign me, but I had a major injury, so that kept me away from the pitch for a long time. Last week he rang me unexpectedly, and obviously I didn’t think twice to not join here because I knew John, and Crawley’s around the corner so it’s perfect for me.”

“I just want to enjoy it really, coming from non-league to the pro game. I’ve got a few months left until the end of the season so I just want to enjoy it, make a name for myself out there and maybe get promotion, who knows?”

Crawley kick off at 7:00pm tomorrow against Bournemouth, live on BT Sport.